Reveal secret T-report: HC judge

Justice L. Narasimha Reddy of the AP High Court on Friday expressed outrage at the contents of the 'secret report' submitted by the Justice Srikrishna Committee on state bifurcation and said it should be made public so that people would know what such committees were doing.

The judge, who perused the report, said its contents were mind boggling and added that the committee exceeded its terms and references in preparing a report on law and order situation. Regarding the references on the communal and political overtones of the bifurcation, the judge remarked that the committee had "over projected certain non existing things in its 'secret' findings." "It is unfortunate that a retired judge of Supreme Court was associated with this kind of report," he said. "It is disgraceful for any person. Was it for this that the government spent `40 crore on the committee?"

He added that such reports would decrease the public confidence in judiciary. "If the judiciary fails in protecting democracy then who will?" the judge asked.

The additional solicitor-general, Mr M. Ravindran, while placing the secret report in a sealed cover, said it was prepared on the basis of intelligence inputs and urged the court to peruse it.

Justice Narasimha Reddy left for chambers to examine the report. He returned in 25 minutes in an angry mood and said the contents make disturbing reading. "It should be put before the public, so the people can know what sorts of committees are appointed by the governments," he said.

On being persuaded by the judge, the ASG also read the last two pages of the report and agreed that the committee need not have gone into all this. However, Mr Ravindran added that the Centre would file a counter affidavit if the judge wanted to make the report public.

The court then returned the 'secret report' and posted the matter to March 3.

 

(Courtesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/reveal-secret-t-report-hc-judge-768)